Chapter 57
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Uncle's Manager Debut
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Sound setups done! Give the volume a quick check!
Double-check the kitchen props one more time!
Director, the weathers not great today, so the background shot might not come out as clear as wed hoped.
A luxury apartment in Seouls Mapo-gu district.
Theyd specially rented an empty unit for the shoot.
The spacious place was buzzing as lights and cameras were set up all around.
They had at least six scenes to film today alone.
One in particular demanded extra care, so the entire staff was prepared to pull an all-nighter.
This is Ji Dongwook, Han Sius new manager! Looking forward to working with you all!
Weaving through the bustle, my uncle kicked off his first day as a manager.
Hed come to set with me in Moms place, holding my hand and bowing politely as we arrived.
The staff, having heard last time that he was my uncle, welcomed him warmly despite their surprise.
Some were folks hed already gotten a bit friendly with from the previous shoot.
Siu-ya, wait here, okay? Uncles just gonna run to the café up ahead.
Mm! Uncle!
After setting up my folding chair and watching me sit, Uncle hurried off.
I called after him.
He turned back with a questioning look, and I pumped both my fists in encouragement.
Fighting!
Oh! Thanks.
Grinning ear to ear, Uncle gave the staff a final round of greetings before dashing to the café ahead.
Heres some coffee to keep you going! Oh, Director! Coffee for you too!
He soon returned with dozens of cups and handed them out one by one.
Uncle had zero experience as a manager yet.
Plus, Moon Heesung wasnt on set today, so no senior manager for advice.
Still new to the job, Uncles approach was simple: run around on foot and pass out coffee.
Its hot outhave some coffee and keep it up. Take good care of our Siu today.
Yeah, thanks. Sius so well-behaved, he makes it easy on us.
You said youre his uncle? You look young, but youre so diligent. Nice.
Thank you!
Uncle kept smiling, bowing deeply to everyone as he went.
Watching him, I felt relieved and proud.
It mustve been a tough call, giving up his own acting dreams to manage his young nephew, just like Mom worried.
But he was handling it better than expected.
Id have to yield plenty of meat side dishes when we got home later.
Oh, and the channel pick too.
Actress Kang Sujung, Im a big fan. Fighting for todays shoot.
Oh, thanks.
Uncle handed a coffee to Kang Sujung, whod be filming with me today.
She sat not far from me, accepting it with just a slight lift of her lips before setting it right down beside her.
Hmm, Im right hereshouldnt she at least take a sip for my sake?
Does she not like caffeine?
Kang Sujung gave a curt thanks and dove straight back into her script.
By then, Uncle had finished distributing and trudged back to my side.
Phew.
Uncle, youre awesome.
Heh, awesome, huh?
Mm-hmm!
I flashed him double thumbs-up for getting all the coffee out.
Uncles face lit up instantly, but a call from behind sent him running off again.
Hey, Han Sius manager! A sec?
Yes! Coming!
I watched his back and quietly cheered him on.
Flutter.
Hmm, Moon Heesung never looked at his script on setinstead, he chatted with the staff.
Kang Sujung was the total opposite.
I glanced at my script on set too, but not like I was sinking into it.
Kang Sujung was fascinating the more I watched.
She wasnt rude, but she seemed to live in her own world.
I was observing her flip through the pages like a wax doll when Director Cha Il-nam approached us.
Good morning, actors. Todays scene hinges on the mother-son bond. Its the moment where the sons sincerity breaks his moms resolve. Keep that in mind.
Yes, PD Cha. Ill focus on it.
Kang Sujung replied to Cha Il-nam with the same dry smile as before.
Cha Il-nam nodded approvingly, then turned to me.
Of course, Sujung will nail it. You can do great too, right, Siu?
Yes.
He looked at my enthusiastic nod like it was adorable and was about to say more.
Director! Check this lighting real quick. The window heres bigger than we thought.
Oh, on my way! Hang tight just a bit. Well call you soon.
Yes.
Cha Il-nam looked swamped with prep.
As he rushed off, I glanced at Kang Sujung.
Our first scene today was the most crucial of the day.
Unsure how many takes itd take, theyd scheduled it first.
Cha Il-nam was even ready to push back the rest for a satisfying take.
As he said, our mother-son chemistry was key.
Any other actor mightve suggested ideas like lets do this or try that with a kid like me, but not Kang Sujung.
I tilted my head, then called out first.
Um, noona.
What?
Kang Sujung flinched at my call.
But she quickly composed herself and spoke softly.
Not noona. How about calling me sunbae-nim or actress-nim, Siu-ya?
...Yes. Sorry. Actress Kang Sujung.
No need to apologizeits just set etiquette. So, whats up?
She said it with a light smile, but it didnt feel warm.
Not offended either, though.
How to put it... There was this thin, uncrossable wall between Kang Sujung and me.
Shouldnt we talk about the scene before we start shooting?
She blinked a few times at my words, glanced at her script, then replied.
You seemed solid during the reading. Just do that, and well be fine. Lets each stick to our roles.
Yes, got it.
Nothing more to say after that.
Her tone was flat, but it didnt feel like she was dismissing me for being a kid.
She really meant lets each handle our parts.
If anything, her cool demeanor treated me more like a fellow actor than others did.
But that was the problem.
If she kept this up, wed be in trouble.
Id felt it in past meetings tooshe didnt communicate with co-stars.
No choice.
Wed figure it out once we started shooting.
I opened my script and started brainstorming.
Okay, messing with toys in the master bedroom... Standbyaction!
Kang Woojoo (Han Siu) fiddles with toys in the master bedroom.
Surrounded by countless toys, but the boys face isnt bright.
Pack this, and this too... Sigh.
In the living room, Woojoos mom, Han Jihye (Kang Sujung), packs their things.
Shes been urgently transferred to a provincial hospital, so shes rushing to grab essentials for a hectic weekend move.
Not long ago, at her hospital, her husbands mistress had approached Woojoo.
Witnessing it, Han Jihyes rage boiled overshe grabbed the womans hair.
It happened in the crowded second-floor waiting room full of patients and staff.
Shocked by Moms fury, Woojoo wailed in fear, while the mistress grabbed Han Jihyes hair right back.
After the chaos, Han Jihye took Woojoo home and scrubbed him over and over.
Youre dirty, so dirty. One more wash, Woojoo, okay?
Waaah, Mommy, my back hurts. Stop now, sob...
Clueless, Woojoo clung to Han Jihyes neck and bawled.
Under the running shower, they stood there, drenched in the harsh spray.
Her husband wasnt enoughnow her only son had been touched by that woman too.
Han Jihye couldnt bear it.
A star doctor at a Seoul university hospital.
She thought she had it all: picture-perfect son, sweet life.
Then one day, her husband confessed his affair and demanded divorce.
Shamelessly, not at home with their son, but at her workplace.
Han Jihye couldnt accept it at first.
But she couldnt cause a scene at work, so she sent him away quietly.
He left home that day.
Commuting from that womans place, it seemed.
Woojoo couldnt grasp Dads absence at first.
Days of nonstop crying followed.
Finally, a call to Dad revealed the truthWoojoo waited in the dark living room, tears plopping down, for Han Jihye.
That night, mother and son cried themselves to sleep together.
Shed vowed to keep going for Woojoos sake.
But that woman brazenly showed up at her hospital and approached him.
She shouldve held back, but after seeing that face.
After seeing her reach for Woojoo.
She couldnt anymore.
For the hospital ruckus, Han Jihye was demoted to a provincial post.
A clear downgrade.
Hearing the news, she stormed home, huffing as she packed.
Ha... Looks like I got the clothes. What next?
Glancing around the living room, Han Jihye suddenly realizes how quiet her son is.
Wondering what Woojoos up to, she peeks into the masterthere he is, playing alone in the dim room.
Seeing it stirs something in her again.
His gloomy face mirrors her own.
Han Jihye strides in.
Whatre you doing, Woojoo? We have to pack. Look at this mess.
......
Han Jihye snatches the toy from his hand and tosses it back in the box.
Packing each one hed been playing with, she hears his small voice.
Mommy... I dont wanna go. Are we moving far away?
His plea breaks her.
Who would want to?
She had no choice.
Han Jihyes gut twisted too.
Woman before mother, person before woman.
How could this happen to her? Her insides churned hourly.
Suppressing the turmoil to pack, the thought that even her son wont help snaps her patience.
Kang Woojoo, how old are you? Seven. A seven-year-old staying in Seoul alone? You follow when Mom goes. Whats this nonsense? Hurry and pack. Were taking all this, right?
Han Jihye says it firmly, dumping the scattered toys into a box.
But somethings off.
Normally, hed protest when toys were taken.
Hes too quiet.
Turning to him, Han Jihyes eyes widen.
Plop, plop.
Tears like chick peas fall from his eyes.
In a trembling voice, he barely manages.
Hic... Seoul has... sob... Daddy.
Woojoo... No. Daddys not coming back.
Seeing his tears softens Han Jihye a bit.
But her words stay icy.
At Moms reply, he sobs and clutches her pants.
M-Mommy. I told that auntie earlier. To give Daddy back now.
What...?
Han Jihyes vision blacks out at his words.
Asking for Daddy back.
Something shed barely held snaps.
If Daddy comes back, we dont have to move far? She took Daddy, so we have to move. Right?
At his pitiful plea, Han Jihye crumbles, pulling him into a fierce hug.
Woojoo, Woojoo... Im sorry. Mommys so sorry.
Why... whyre you sorry, Mommy? Daddys coming back now, right?
...Daddys not coming back. Not coming back, Woojoo.
Repeating it, Moms form makes Woojoo wail at the top of his lungs.
Clinging tight to the back of his only remaining family, his mom.
No one here had sinned.
Yet to Woojoo, Han Jihye could only be an endless sinner.
The two clung together, sobbing their hearts out.